CLUB NEWS

Nasarawa United on Thursday evening snapped a poor run of form after posting 1-0 victory over Akwa United in a Matchday 11 game of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPLF) at Lafia City Stadium.

Adamu Hassan nodded home a cross from Jide Williams in the 34th minute to take advantage of the game and make their dominance count, while giving the home fans something to cheer after mounting loads of pressure on the visiting Akwa United.

Both sides were in dire need of victory after some tepid performances, but the home side, who had picked only one point from their last two matches, were more desperate to get back to winning ways, thus taking hold of the game from the beginning.

Despite controlling the game and making waves of attack, they have nothing to show for it in the early parts, as all their attacks were either snuffed out or ended in wayward shooting until Adamu stepped up to score the goal.

The goal brought the best out of Akwa United, who wanted to make amends after dropping from the CAF Confederation Cup, but they were no match for the home side, whose trio of Adamu Hassan, Thomas Zenke and man-of-the-match, Buhari Jafar kept on harassing the visitors' defence.

Following the goal, Akwa United increased their efforts to equalise, with Alhassan Ibrahim and Musa Newman making good runs but they failed to make hay. The few occasions they had opportunities, they could not find the net due to poor marksmanship.

In the second half, the home side continued their midfield dominance and occasional forays into their opponents vital area but could not increase the tally. The game later became rough forcing the referee to make many cautions to both sides including Semiu Liadi of Akwa United, who bagged two yellow cards and was eventually sent off.

Speaking after the match, Nasarawa United coach, Kabir Dogo commended his players for winning the match even as he lamented dearth of goals from the team noting that they have always played well but have been undone by poor marksmanship.

"I'm happy with my team's performance. We always play well but we are unlucky with goals, and we scored today even if it is one goal it was enough to win the game. Akwa United is one of the best teams in Nigeria with one of the best coaches so I'm happy to beat them," Dogo told npfl.ng.

Speaking on upcoming league matches, he said they are hungry for away victories. "The way we play, we are good for away point and we are still working on the area of goal scoring."

Akwa United coach Abdu Maikaba was however not satisfied with the game noting tnat the weather and pitch were factors that worked against free-flowing game. "It is a good performance but the high temperature affected (my team) and the nature of the pitch. This is the first time we are playing on the pitch and it is not playable.

"I believe Nasarawa United deserve their win. Nasarawa United were desperate for this game same way we were."

Apart from Liadi, who was sent off, Jide Williams for Nasarawa United, Aremu Afeez, Otobong Effiong, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Alhassan Ibrahim for Akwa United all bagged yellow cards.

About NPFL

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is the elite League of Nigeria's Football Federation, embracing the 20 most competitive club sides in the country. Its existence dates back to 1990 when a law came into effect to introduce professional football in the country. Read More